About the Book What a treasure! Its exciting to see so much real information about nature and its fate presented so beautifully and accessibly. The Atlas fact-backed case for urgent action builds steadily to a compelling conclusion. And the writing is every bit as good as the excellent graphics and photographs.--James Gustave Speth, author of Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment Just as that first image of earth from space revealed the miraculous living planet we call home in a new light, this atlas rivets our attention both on its wonders and the opportunities to conserve it and provide a passport to a better future.--Thomas E. Lovejoy, The Heinz Center An amazing book. The story of life on earth, told through one-of-a-kind maps, stunning photos, and engaging stories. For decades, scientists have dreamed of the day when we would have enough information about the worlds biodiversity to prepare maps like these. A must-have resource, source of inspiration, and guide for action.--Walter V. Reid, David and Lucile Packard Foundation Maps inspire conservation and partnerships everywhere we work. We should be grateful that one of the rising stars in conservation science, Jon Hoekstra, and his team, here give us superlative global data and maps of the worlds riches and threats. An Atlas that focuses the mind on our investments where they can make the greatest difference.--Carter Roberts, World Wildlife Fund Book Synopsis Visually rich, up-to-date, and authoritative, The Atlas of Global Conservation is a premier resource for everyone concerned about the natural world. Drawing from the best data available, it is an unprecedented guide to the state of the planet and our most pressing resource and environmental issues. Top scientists at The Nature Conservancy, the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and water, have joined forces to create this extraordinary reference. It features 79 richly-detailed, fullcolor maps and other graphics paired with an informative, inviting discussion of major trends across the worlds terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments. Interspersed throughout, essays by noted international authorities point the way forward in confronting some of our greatest conservation challenges. - The most comprehensive single volume on global environmental conservation and future sustainability - Includes the latest data on environmental threats, such as climate change, water use, habitat protection, deforestation and overfishing - Full-color maps and graphics are designed to facilitate sideby-side comparisons, empowering readers to draw their own conclusions - Brings together information that has been widely dispersed across myriad publications and databases in a format thatinvites evaluation and application - Supporting data is available on an accompanying website From the Back Cover What a treasure! Its exciting to see so much real information about nature and its fate presented so beautifully and accessibly. The Atlas fact-backed case for urgent action builds steadily to a compelling conclusion. And the writing is every bit as good as the excellent graphics and photographs.--James Gustave Speth, author of Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment Just as that first image of earth from space revealed the miraculous living planet we call home in a new light, this atlas rivets our attention both on its wonders and the opportunities to conserve it and provide a passport to a better future.--Thomas E. Lovejoy, The Heinz Center An amazing book. The story of life on earth, told through one-of-a-kind maps, stunning photos, and engaging stories. For decades, scientists have dreamed of the day when we would have enough information about the worlds biodiversity to prepare maps like these. A must-have resource, source of inspiration, and guide for action.--Walter V. Reid, David and Lucile Packard Foundation Maps inspire conservation and partnerships everywhere we work. We should be grateful that one of the rising stars in conservation science, Jon Hoekstra, and his team, here give us superlative global data and maps of the worlds riches and threats. An Atlas that focuses the mind on our investments where they can make the greatest difference.--Carter Roberts, World Wildlife Fund Review Quotes Encouraging.--Marilyn K. Alaimo Chicago Botanic Garden (2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM) About the Author Currently, Jonathan M. Hoekstra directs The Nature Conservancys Climate Change Program and teaches at the University of Washington. Jennifer L. Molnar is a senior scientist on the Conservancys Ecosystem Services Team. Michael Jennings is an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho. Carmen Revenga and Mark D. Spalding are senior scientists on the Conservancys Marine Team. Timothy M. Boucher is a senior conservation geographer for the Conservancys Ecosystem Services Team. James C. Robertson is GIS manager for the Conservancys Colorado Program. Thomas J. Heibel is a technical research associate at BCS, Inc. Katherine Ellison is a Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative journalist and author of three books including The Economy of Nature.